When you find yourself in need of a grabber to assist you with everyday tasks, you may find that shopping for the one that fits your needs can be daunting. There are many things to consider when choosing the grabber that is right for you such as size, weight, functionality, comfort, and ease of use. Below are some tips to assist you with your search, as well as inform you of things you may not have thought about.
Size
When you first start looking for a grabber, you may find that they come in many different sizes. Finding the best size for you could be determined by many things such as your height, your strength, any disability or health issue you may have, or what you need the grabber specifically for. If you are short, you will likely need a grabber with a shorter pole for picking things up from the floor or lower cabinets. If you are tall, you will likely need a longer pole to pick up objects from a longer range that are below your reach. This same height issue could be reversed when needing a grabber for reaching over your head.
Weight
The weight of a grabber can be a significant hindrance or be a great assistance for you. If you are weak you will likely want a grabber that isn’t too heavy but balances out in weight. If you have significant upper body strength but difficulty bending, then you will likely want a heavier handle for better assistance, but not too heavy where it could use momentum to possibly cause you to fall forward. Finding the perfect balance could come with trial and error and you may find trying different ones at a store with a clerk assisting you to be helpful. You may find aluminum rod grabbers to be a great solution for balance.
Functionality
You may decide you need multiple grabbers based on your personal needs. A grabber that assists you in the bathroom with picking up slippery objects will likely be made much differently from one that assists you in reaching objects high above your head off of a shelf. Try looking for a grabber with a clamp on the end for picking up small objects like money or a credit card you may have dropped in a store or for picking up even smaller objects like medicine you may have dropped on the floor at home.
A pincer-type of grabber may be useful for assisting with things like clothing or towels. Try looking for a grabber with a claw type of end grip for picking up objects like cans or jars. You will likely want to look for a non-slip and rust resistant grabber if you will be using it in the bathroom or kitchen where it could get wet. You may find a multi-purpose grabber that fits all of your needs though. There are also grabbers made specifically for wheelchair users that may suit your needs.
Comfort and Ease of Use
Comfort may come naturally if you have figured out the balance you need and know the purposes you will be using your grabber for. You will likely want to take the trigger into consideration for ease of use. A shorter trigger will probably be more useful for picking up small or lightweight objects that do not require very much strength. A longer trigger could be helpful if you have less dexterity so that you can use multiple fingers to grip the trigger or use the grabber for picking up heavier objects. Finding a grabber that rotates can make it much more functional for multiple tasks.
Practice Makes Perfect
Any grabber could be thought of as an extension of your arm. Picking up objects with your grabber can become second nature to you the longer you use it. Try practicing with your grabber with someone else around if possible, until you feel comfortable using it.
Practicing alone with your grabber could lead to accidents and if you don’t prepare properly by giving yourself enough room, you may have to unexpectedly go to the hospital. One example is reaching for a pan or large can above your head. If your grip slips on the trigger, or your grabber isn’t suited for the task in which you are trying to use it for, an accident could become inevitable. Safety with your grabber is most likely a priority for you.
